Singapore and Cebu – Two Singapore institutes of higher learning, Republic Polytechnic (RP) and Temasek Polytechnic (TP), have inked a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the Department of Tourism, Philippines and the Province of Cebu to develop a 36-month Tourism and Hospitality Capability Development Programme in the Cebu Province of the Philippines.

Supported by Temasek Foundation International, a Singapore-based non-profit philanthropic organisation, the new training programme will commence in September 2017. Through the programme conducted by RP and TP trainers, around 120 leaders and specialists will benefit from the sharing of best practices and strategies on tripartite collaborations among government, industry and education partners in Cebu’s tourism and hospitality sector.

“This capacity and capability program for Cebu’s tourism and hospitality sector comes at a right time when the Province of Cebu is poised to enhance access and expand its products and services. Cebu’s significant strides in community-based sustainable tourism development has been recognised globally and this program will be a good opportunity to learn from each other. We are very grateful for this opportunity,” said Honourable Agnes A. Magpale, Vice Governor of the Province of Cebu.

Emphasising the importance of authentic learning in the workplace, Republic Polytechnic will also share its Problem-based Learning pedagogy with the programme participants in the delivery of the programmes, using Cebu as a model to develop a strategic direction for sustainable tourism and hospitality development.

Among the modules that RP and TP will jointly conduct include Singapore’s Best Practices in Tourism Development and a study visit to Singapore to learn more about its tourism industry. In addition, TP will also conduct a module on Strategic Tourism Management.

Over the past 10 years, Temasek Foundation International has supported 24 programmes in the Philippines, primarily in the areas of education, nursing management, public administration and urban governance. The foundation has committed a grant of S$488,085 towards this programme to support capability building for the hospitality and tourism sector. The programme will also be co-funded by the Department of Tourism, Philippines and the Province of Cebu. Mr. Benedict Cheong, Chief Executive of Temasek Foundation International said, “Tourism and hospitality development contributes to urban planning and economic growth. Through this programme, we hope to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences between officials and educators in the Philippines and Singapore, and contribute towards sustainable tourism development in the long run.”

At the same signing ceremony held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Republic Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic also signed separate MoUs with the University of San Carlos and the University of San Jose-Recoletos, respectively. These collaborations aim to promote cross-institutional exchanges among students and staff, as well as joint academic research. Students and staff from the institutions will also get to go on overseas trips and internships to broaden their perspectives.

“Republic Polytechnic’s Problem-based Learning pedagogy has borne fruit for both fulltime students and adult learners across diverse disciplines – including hospitality – by equipping them with critical thinking skills to thrive in evolving work environments. We are pleased to be able to share our hospitality knowledge and experience with our partners in the Philippines, leveraging the Problem-based Learning approach. We are also looking forward to learning from Cebu, being a vibrant tourist destination. We thank Temasek Foundation International for supporting this meaningful partnership,” said Mr Yeo Li Pheow, Principal/CEO, Republic Polytechnic.

“With over 25 years of experience teaching hospitality and tourism courses in Singapore, Temasek Polytechnic is excited about this opportunity to work with the Philippines on a hospitality project, and to share our best practices with them. We look forward to contributing our expertise in this area and welcome the knowledge and cultural exchanges which will take place during this project. TP would like to thank Temasek Foundation International and Republic Polytechnic for this opportunity to work together,” said Mr Peter Lam, Principal & CEO, Temasek Polytechnic.